Nutrition and health is a controversial topic that has different edges, and it seems many people can’t agree on anything while discussing these topics. Although some people may want to make it a source of arguments, the foods you eat define your health. Proper nutrition is a vital part of living healthy, and when combined with physical exercise it could help you to lower the risk of getting problems like cancer and heart disease.
Impact of proper nutrition on your health
Eating unhealthy foods is the leading cause of obesity in the U.S. About 34% of adults are obese, and this presents a real problem. This problem also extends to children at 17% of children aged from 2 and adolescents. With all the risks that are associated with obesity, there are all reasons to invest in proper nutrition. When you are overweight, you are exposed to problems like hypertension, osteoporosis, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. These are problems that could be prevented by taking the right foods.
Evidence shows that there is a strong link between nutrition and overall health. Taking steps to achieving a healthy lifestyle you will be working towards getting the right nutrients into your body. Adding physical activity in this, you will easily prevent many problems that come as a result of poor diet and lack of measures to take care of your health.
Avoid Added Sugar
Now that you have seen what eating a poor diet could do, some ingredients are culprits in this mess. Added sugar is one of those ingredients that you should avoid if you want to live a healthy life.
Many manufacturers use added sugars on products to improve taste and the common types added include sucrose and syrups like high-fructose corn syrup. This type of sugar offers empty calories, meaning there are no nutrients included except the sugar. Therefore, when you base your diet on foods high in added sugar, you will contribute to nutrient deficiencies. There are also other risks associated with taking excessive sugar including obesity and liver damage.
Get Enough of Omega-3 Fats
For the proper functioning of the body, you also need to consider omega-3 fats. A good example would be to consider the fact that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is an omega-3 fat sourced from animals, accounts for about 10 – 20% of all fat content in the brain. This means the low intake of these fats could lead to low IQ, mental disorders, and depression among other mental problems. Therefore, it makes sense to consume foods high in DHA as it has direct benefits to the user.
Although there is no perfect diet for each person, it’s important to prioritize the consumption of vegetables and fruits in place of added sugars and carbs. This is one of the ways to deal with health problems that are caused by lack of vital nutrients in the body. Steer clear of foods that only contribute calories without offering any health benefits in the form of nutrients as these could lead to obesity and other health problems.
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